Ohio AgriBusiness Association creates scholarship fund

The Ohio AgriBusiness Association (OABA) announced the launch of a scholarship fund through a $50,000 gift from its Educational Trust.

The new Ohio AgriBusiness Association Endowed Scholarship Fund, established through the Ohio State University (OSU) College of Food, Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, will provide scholarships for OSU students working toward agricultural degrees and pursuing enrichment opportunities through their education.

Since 1972, OABA has provided $497,535 in scholarships shared among 525 recipients, according to figures provided by the college.

The endowment will create annual scholarships in four categories:

• Study Abroad program – The College’s study abroad program allows eligible students to participate in enriching, career-related experiences on overseas trips.

• Ohio State Agricultural Technical Institute – This scholarship follows eligible students as they complete a two-year degree and carries over to those who choose to continue on at the Columbus campus to finish a four-year degree.

• Precision Agriculture Students – For students studying precision strategies and technology to improve efficiencies, evaluation, automation and is geared toward the future of agriculture.

• Dean’s Discretionary Pick – This scholarship is awarded to the “best of the best” as determined by the dean of the College.

The gift, to be endowed in perpetuity, will be eligible for the Ohio Scholarship Challenge, an Ohio State matching-fund campaign. Although the initiation phase of the campaign ends June 30, donors have until 2019 to give in order to see their investment double on qualifying gifts of $100,000 or more. OABA will partner with its more than 245 member companies to match the $50,000 with contributions to meet that goal, Chris Henney, OABA president and CEO, said.

Those interested in contributing to the new scholarship fund can do so online at giveto.osu.edu/makeagift or contact The Ohio State University Foundation at 614-292-2141.

According to Henney, the OABA’s Educational Trust board members deserve credit for the idea, which developed into the full endowment.